By Todd B Bavol
Social media is a must for those looking for a job. It is a
fantastic way to connect with employers, hiring managers and other
employees who can recommend you for the job. However, once you open your
social media accounts to your employment search, you'll need to be very
careful about what you post there. Recent reports indicate that more
and more employers are turning to social media sites like Facebook to
find out what candidates are really like.
What's to Worry About?
Job
seekers should put some self control into their job search when it
comes to using sites like Twitter, Facebook and even LinkedIn. Even if
you've never told a potential employer they could use these sites to
learn more about you, many will do so as part of their screening process
especially if it comes down to just a few well-qualified candidates.
Check out these five things you should not post to your social media accounts if you are after the next big job or career move.
1.
Don't post what you did last night if it isn't something you would want
your mother to know about as well. Screen your posts to exclude
information that makes you look immature or even worse, like someone
that's not trustworthy.
2. Don't bad mouth your previous employer. Doing so puts a bad taste in the mouth of any new hiring manager or employer.
3.
Don't post (or allow someone to tag you in) any indecent photos or
photos that show you doing anything that's unfavorable. If you want to
post these to your friends, be sure to limit your privacy settings on
your photo album.
4. Don't make racist, sexist or otherwise
discriminatory comments on your page. Companies are very anti-harassment
and focus their attention on hiring candidates not likely to engage in
such actions.
5. Don't belong to groups (at least those that are
visible) that put you in the wrong place or surroundings. If you think
being a part of the "Saturday night drinking party" is a good thing,
chances are good that a hiring manager will think you are not a good
fit.
In addition to this, when job searching, tone down what's
accessible on these social media sites. Check your privacy settings.
Find out what's visible in terms of your views especially religious and
political postings. You don't want these elements of who you are to
define if you get the job interview or not.
Todd Bavol is the President and CEO of Integrity Staffing
Solutions. Integrity Staffing Solutions is a national staffing firm
assisting individuals and corporations in making the right employment
fit. To view job openings in Warehouse, Professional and Administrative
positions, visit the Integrity Staffing Solutions web site at http://www.integritystaffing.com